Pages

Friday, December 14, 2012

It's official, Christmas is just around the corner, like a week from next Tuesday! The thing is, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I am seriously trying. I think my problem is that the temperature in DC is throwing me for a loop...it's warm, then cold, then mild. Who knows what is going on, but I have been trying to get into the holiday spirit!

I am almost, so very, very close to being done with my holiday shopping! Just a few more things need to arrive in the mail. Christmas postcards are in the mail. I have checked out Christmas trees, even though we don't have one up in my house in Alexandria. Holiday parties are happening, and a gingerbread house has been built! (Check it out below.) A Christmas Vacation has been watched! I am planning the menu for the annual Christmas Eve brunch at my mom's house, and getting to listen to my nephew sing Away in a Manger. I think it will truly feel like Christmas time though once I get home and get to hangout with my family. I mean that's the big part right? I mean family and seeing friends when we are all finally, for the most part in the same location.

So, what are you doing to get into the Christmas spirit? Have you watched Love Actually yet? It is totally on my to do list this weekend! Are you attending any awesome tacky Christmas sweater parties? Making gingerbread men and attending cookie exchanges? Let me know! Happy Holidays!

What can get you in the spirit more than lights in the shape of animals?

Well maybe the the National Christmas Tree with 50 other Christmas trees around it for each state.

The White House....

and a gingerbread aka graham cracker interpretation of the White House for the office holiday party gingerbread house competition with "Bear"-ak and Michelle checking out the "national" Christmas tree. Other houses included the office dog, Beebe's house, the Alexandria Courthouse and the construction site behind the office.

Now down to the donuts. This week, week #2 in donut December, I decided a maple donut was in order. These are topped with maple glaze and half of them had bacon and the other half didn't. Why not all bacon you might be asking. Well we have a few vegetarians in the office, so yeah no bacon and with bacon it was. These are super cakey, light and moist donuts. They are not going to be like any donut you have ever bought in a store, but they have great texture and flavor. The maple and bacon go very well together, and the bacon adds for great texture with the smooth creamy glaze and light fluffy donut. Give them a try and Enjoy!

Gently whisk-fold the batter together.

Then fill the pans and try to wipe off the excess batter...I was in a bit of a rush making these before work.

Carefully remove the cooled donuts from the pan. Mine stuck, so I had to run a knife carefully around the edge and then work them out of the pan.

Maple Donuts with Maple Glaze and Bacon Crumbles: (recipe adapted form Cooking with My Kid)*makes a dozen donuts2 cups all-purpose flour1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda1/4 teaspoon salt2 large egg (lightly beaten)6 oz non-fat plain Greek yogurt6 oz skim milk2 tablespoon canola oil4 teaspoons vanilla extract5 tablespoons real maple syrupGlaze:1 1/2 cups powdered sugar4-5 tablespoons maple syrup2-3 tablespoons water3-4 pieces of bacon (If you want enough bacon to cover every donut I would do 5-6 pieces of bacon.)1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray 2 donut pans with non-stick cooking spray.2. On a microwave safe plate, microwave 3 pieces of bacon, at a time, on top of a paper towel or until bacon is crispy. Allow bacon to cool and then crumble. Set aside.3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 4. In another bowl stir together the oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, eggs, yogurt and milk. 5. Make a hole in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the hole. Gently fold everything together until combined. 6. Divide batter evenly into greased donut pans. The batter will be pretty thick and airy. Using a Ziploc bag as a piping bag or a measuring cup, fill 3/4 full and spread out to make even if necessary Before baking be sure to clean off any stray dough around the circle so there’s a hole in the middle of the donut. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for a few moments and then let the donuts finish cooling on a cooling rack. 7. While the donuts are cooling prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with 3 tablespoons maple syrup and 2 tablespoons water. Whisk in remaining maple syrup and water, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.8. Once donuts are cool, dip in the glaze. Then, if desired, top donuts with crumbled bacon. Enjoy!**Donuts definitely best on the first day.